Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians

Comm on Phil, Col, Thes
Philippians 1:18-21
18. What then? notwithstanding, every way, 18. Quid enim? Caeterum quovis modo, sive
whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is per occasionem, sive per veritatem, Christus
preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will annuntiatur: atque in hoc gaudeo, quin etiam
rejoice.
gaudebo.
19. For I know that this shall turn to my 19. Novi enim quod hoc mihi cedet in salutem
salvation through your prayer, and the supply of per vestram precationem, et subministrationem
the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
Spiritus Iesu Christi,
20. According to my earnest expectation and 20. Secundum expectationem et spem meam,
my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but quod in nullo re pudefiam, sed cum omni fiducia,
that with all boldness, as always, so now also quemadmodum semper, ita et nunc
Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it magnificabitur Christus in corpore meo, sive per
be by life, or by death.
vitam, sive per mortem.
21. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is 21. Mihi enim vivendo Christus est, et
gain.
moriendo lucrum.
18 But in every way. As the wicked disposition of those of whom he has spoken might detract
from the acceptableness of the doctrine, 77 he says that this ought to be reckoned of great importance,
that they nevertheless promoted the cause of the gospel, whatever their disposition might be. For
God sometimes accomplishes an admirable work by means of wicked and depraved instruments.
Accordingly, he says that he rejoices in a happy result of this nature; because this one thing contented
him — if he saw the kingdom of Christ increasing — just as we, on hearing that that impure dog
Carolus 78 was scattering the seeds of pure doctrine at Avignon and elsewhere, we gave thanks to
God because he had made use of that most profligate and worthless villain for his glory: and at this
day we rejoice that the progress of the gospel is advanced by many who, nevertheless, had another
design in view. But though Paul rejoiced in the advancement of the gospel, yet, had the matter been
in his hand, he would never have ordained such persons as ministers. We ought, therefore, to rejoice
if God accomplishes anything that is good by means of wicked persons; but they ought not on that
account to be either placed by us in the ministry, or looked upon as Christ’s lawful ministers.
19 For I know that As some published the gospel with the view of rendering Paul odious, in
order that they might kindle up against him the more the rage of his enemies, he tells them beforehand
that their wicked attempts will do him no harm, because the Lord will turn them to a contrary
design. “Though they plot my destruction, yet I trust that all their attempts will have no other effect
but that Christ will be glorified in me — which is a thing most salutary to me.” For it is evident
from what follows, that he is not speaking of the safety of the body. But whence this confidence
on the part of Paul? It is from what he teaches elsewhere, (Romans 8:28,) — that all things contribute
to the advantage of God’s true worshippers, even though the whole world, with the devil, its prince,
should conspire together for their ruin.
77 “Pouuoit diminuer l’authorite de la doctrine;” — “Might diminish the authority of the doctrine.”
78 Our Author appears to refer here to Peter Carolus, of whom the reader will find particular mention made by Beza in his
Life of CALVIN. — CALVIN’S Tracts, vol. 1, pp. 30, 31. — Ed.
22
John Calvin